Manic Monday: Book Festival Booyah!

Wow, what a whirlwind of a weekend!

I spent the weekend at the Tucson Festival of Books (TFOB) and it was AMAZING!

I shared a booth with my writer pal Janine Caldwell, also a writer of YA fantasy fiction (the Vortex Series). Saturday we braved unseasonably (for Tucson) cold, rain and wind. But the die-hard book fans of Tucson and the Southwest braved the weather to take in the festival and buy books.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who came out and took the time to meet us and hear about our work.

As an independent author, I meet most fans through my various internet connections. Virtual meetings are great and I couldn't have connected with other writers and fans as far away as India and Australia without the internet.

BUT, there is nothing better than seeing the eyes of a potential reader light up when you tell her about the book she's holding in her hand. And then to see the excitement of middle grade girls to read Emily's adventures. Some of them actually cradled the book in their arms! That is priceless.

And the high school girls were eager for Book 2, Emily's Trial. Seeing Emily on the cover, holding a dagger, made them want to hear more. Then when they heard that Emily was tempted to use her powers in a forbidden way by the desire to win over the boy, they could all relate. My hunch that aging Emily up with each book and giving her more mature issues to deal with proved to be correct to widen my audience.

Meeting real people who are eager to read your book -- BEST FEELING EVER! (Okay, for a writer I mean.)

Natalie Wright at the
Tucson Festival of Books, 2013

Being an exhibitor and selling your wares at a book festival is a large investment for an author, especially and Indie author with no big publishing backing or advances. I went into the weekend unsure of whether the cost would be worth the expense, planning and time.

Answer? Heck yes!! I'll be back at the TFOB next year with my Akasha Chronicles series completed and hopefully the first book in my new speculative fiction series (H.A.L.F.) completed as well.

Last night I was exhausted but exhilerated. Barely able to keep my eyes open, I began a search for more book festivals.

I feel a new addiction coming on.

The weather is nice in L.A. in April . . .

P.S. Click this link to go to the page with my March giveaway.